Physiotherapy Theory and Practice最新文献

{"title":"Shoulder muscular activation during common kettlebell exercises: a randomized cross-sectional surface EMG study.","authors":"Çağdaş Işiklar, Büşra Paköz, Elif Turgut","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2654028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2654028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to examine shoulder muscle activation patterns within functionally similar upper-body exercise categories performed using different resistance modalities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty healthy males (mean age 22.6 ± 1.69 years) performed overhead pressing, rowing, and swinging tasks using kettlebells, dumbbells, and elastic bands. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record activity from seven shoulder muscles. The recorded electromyographic signals were normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contractions (%MVIC), log-transformed, and analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with exercise and muscle as within-subject factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A repeated-measures ANOVA on log-transformed EMG data showed significant main effects of exercise (F(2.10, 39.95)=22.04, <i>p</i><.001, η² <i>p</i>=.537) and muscle (F(4.49, 85.34)=47.55, <i>p</i><.001, η² <i>p</i>=.714), as well as a significant exercise×muscle interaction (F(8.16, 154.98)=82.84, <i>p</i><.001, η² <i>p</i>=.813). Within the overhead pressing category, the Bottoms-Up Kettlebell Overhead Press elicited significantly greater activation than the traditional Kettlebell Overhead Press in the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, biceps brachii, and infraspinatus (all <i>p</i><.050), with upper trapezius activation reaching 30.4±13.4%MVIC. In the rowing category, middle and lower trapezius activation was greater during free-weight rowing than during elastic band rowing, while serratus anterior activation remained relatively low across the rowing conditions. In the swing category, activation patterns were largely comparable between the two-hand kettlebell and dumbbell swings, whereas the one-hand kettlebell swing produced greater activation in selected muscles, with the lower trapezius showing the highest activation. Absolute between-exercise differences in %MVIC were modest.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Kettlebell, dumbbell, and elastic band exercises elicit distinct shoulder muscle activation profiles. These findings may inform exercise selection and program design when targeting specific shoulder muscles within task-oriented training contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147628989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of noxious thermal stimulation on lower-limb motor function in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial with 1-month follow-up.","authors":"Shih-Fen Hsiao, Yi-Jing Huang, Yu-Teng Ke, Sing-Kai Lo, Chia-Hsin Chen, Jau-Hong Lin","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2647788","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2647788","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Thermal stimulation (TS) is a practicable, inexpensive, and convenient treatment method in stroke rehabilitation. Previous studies have already confirmed that alternate noxious TS can enhance cortical excitability in patients who had a stroke, thereby improving the motor function of the affected limbs. However, it remains unclear whether continuous noxious TS (either hot-only or cold-only) or alternative noxious TS produces comparable therapeutic effects in chronic stroke, and whether such effects will persist up to one month after the immediate post-intervention phase.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To quantify the immediate and short-term effects of noxious cold only, noxious heat only, and alternate noxious TS on the motor function of the lower extremity (LE) in patients with chronic stroke.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-seven patients with first-ever stroke after six months participated in this prospective, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups for three-week TS intervention, while maintaining their regular stroke rehabilitation. The alternate group underwent both noxious heat and cold TS (heat-pain46-47°C/cold-pain 2-3°C), the noxious heat group underwent heat-pain TS, and the noxious cold group underwent cold-pain TS. The LE subscale of the Fugl-Meyer assessment, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Barthel index, and Hmax/Mmax ratio were measured at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-ups. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models under the intention-to-treat principle.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Group by Time interaction was significant only for the TUG (<i>p</i> = .041, η_p² = 0.16). Significant within-group improvements in TUG performance were observed in both the alternate TS (<i>p</i> = .004, η_p² = 0.44) and noxious-cold TS groups (<i>p</i> = .003, η_p² = 0.49). Post-hoc simple-effect analysis showed that the noxious-cold group demonstrated significantly shorter TUG times at both post-intervention and follow-up compared with baseline (<i>p</i> = .036 and <0.001, respectively). In contrast, pairwise comparisons in the alternate TS group were not statistically significant after correction (<i>p</i> > .05). No significant changes were found in the FMA-LE, BI, or Hmax/Mmax (<i>p</i> > .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Combining noxious-cold or alternate noxious TS interventions with regular rehabilitation may lead to better LE mobility in patients with chronic stroke.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04306120.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147628930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of the McKenzie-based exercises in improving pain, disability, and cervical range of motion in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis.","authors":"Héctor García-López, Álvaro Morales-Quintana, Esteban Obrero-Gaitán, Raúl Romero-Del Rey, Irene Cortés-Pérez","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2650405","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2650405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The McKenzie Method is widely used in managing spinal pain; however, its effectiveness in chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP) remains uncertain.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the effectiveness of the McKenzie Method compared to placebo, usual care, or other interventions in reducing pain, disability, and improving the cervical range of motion (CROM) in patients with CNNP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted in PubMed Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete, CENTRAL and PEDro up to July 2025. Randomized controlled trials including adults with CNNP treated with the McKenzie Method were analyzed. Random-effects meta-analyses calculated standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Heterogeneity (I²), sensitivityanalyses, publication bias, and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight studies (389 participants) were included. Low-quality evidence showed a large effect favoring the McKenzie Method for pain reduction (SMD =-0.57; 95% CI: -1.1 to -0.04; <i>p</i> = .034; I² = 31.5%) and disability (SMD =-0.43; 95% CI: -0.90 to -0.01; <i>p</i> = .047; I² = 19.5%). Publication bias was detected for disability, with trim-and-fill suggesting the true effect may be larger. Significant improvements in active CROM were observed for extension, flexion, and rotation, whereas no significant improvement was found for lateral flexion. No evidence of publication bias or sensitivity effects was found for these outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In adults with CNNP, interventions described as the McKenzie Method were associated with small improvements in pain, disability, and cervical flexion, extension, and rotation, with no clear effect on lateral flexion. Effects are short-term and of low certainty. Evidence for medium or long-term outcomes has not been reported based on studies retained in this review.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147624423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2654332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2654332","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"i"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147624436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incidence and profile of musculoskeletal injuries in volleyball players and their associated factors: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Tayná Catarina Lukacheski Antunes da Silva, Tamiris Beppler Martins, Raphael Schmidt de Mesquita, Alexia Andrea Fuzer Lira Pereira, Taís Beppler Martins, Rodrigo Okubo","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2026.2654801","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2026.2654801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Volleyball is widely practiced worldwide and involves rapid movements combined with repeated jumps and landings, creating substantial mechanical demand and a notable injury burden, especially in the shoulder, knee, and ankle. Identifying injury characteristics and related factors may support preventive strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To estimate the overall injury incidence, describe injury characteristics, and explore factors associated with sports injuries in volleyball players.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study conducted between March and September 2025 with volleyball players aged ≥ 18 years residing in Brazil. Data were collected through a digital questionnaire addressing demographics, anthropometrics, training habits, sleep, mood, and perceptions of injury risk and prevention. Descriptive statistics and association tests (chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, or Mann - Whitney) were used. Overall injury incidence was calculated per 1000 hours of estimated annual volleyball exposure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty players were included, 55 women (68.8%) (median age 24 years). In 2024, 39 participants (48.8%) reported at least one injury, totaling 81 self-reported events, mainly affecting the knee, shoulder/clavicular region, ankle, and fingers. The overall estimated incidence was 2.89 injuries per 1000 exposure hours. 61.5% of injured players reported time loss, with a median return time of 21 days. Injured athletes reported a longer volleyball practice history in the parametric comparison, whereas no categorical variable remained associated with injury occurrence after revision of the analytical strategy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Volleyball players demonstrated a substantial injury burden, supporting preventive strategies that integrate physical, training-related, behavioral, and psychosocial components.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147628966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physiotherapy students' clinical skills training needs within the musculoskeletal area: an explorative study of stakeholders' perceptions.","authors":"Ann Bylund, Åsa Revenäs, Marie-Louise Södersved Källestedt, Magdalena Lindblom, Anne Söderlund, Maria Elvén","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2589908","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2589908","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Musculoskeletal conditions are a significant global health problem. The demand for specialized and individualized care is increasing. This necessitates that physiotherapy (PT) education better equips students with clinical skills needed for clinical practice, during education and in future professional work.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore stakeholders' perceptions of PT students' clinical skills training needs within the musculoskeletal area in undergraduate PT education.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semistructured focus groups and interviews were conducted with stakeholders from multiple undergraduate PT programs and clinical settings in Sweden, including PT students (<i>n</i> = 18), newly graduated physiotherapists (<i>n</i> = 3), educators (<i>n</i> = 5) and clinical instructors (<i>n</i> = 8). This study employed a qualitative design using inductive content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>One overarching main category, comprehensive clinical skills training in a supportive and reality-based education, and four categories emerged, each comprising 3-5 subcategories describing the stakeholders' perceptions of PT students' clinical skills training needs. The four categories are 1: Experiencing real or reality-based patient cases, 2: Applying knowledge and clinical skills, 3: Analyzing patient information and making clinical decisions, and 4: Having a supportive learning environment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To better prepare PT students for clinical practice in the musculoskeletal area, stakeholders perceive students need comprehensive clinical skills training within a supportive and reality-based educational environment that facilitates reflective abilities. Engaging in diverse realistic patient encounters may enhance their ability to apply knowledge and skills in patient interactions, as well as strengthen their analytical and clinical decision-making abilities. Clinical reasoning and communication skills were emphasized over procedural skills.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"581-594"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145589742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effects of neuromuscular training on functional outcome measures in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Fatemeh Emami, Masoumeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Hosein Ebrahimzadeh, Nahid Pirayeh, Saeedeh Ebrahimzadeh, Neda Mostafaee","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2584359","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2584359","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous studies indicate exercises are a crucial component in managing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). It appears interventions targeting sensorimotor performance may offer advantages for individuals with KOA. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of neuromuscular exercises (NEMEX) on patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures of physical function in this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically searched for studies in electronic databases (Web of Science, Science Direct, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, Scopus, Medline and ProQuest) from 1990 to March 2025, prioritizing KOOS and WOMAC as primary outcomes and other measures as secondary outcomes. In meta-analyses, we used weighted mean differences along with 95% confidence interval to assess absolute difference in KOOS, WOMAC, timed up-and-go and chair stand test scores. We used forest plots to represent our data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight articles of clinical trials were eligible to include in this review. The meta-analysis showed KOOS-quality-of-life scores (mean difference = 5.36, 95%CI = 1.07 to 9.65, <i>p</i> = .01, I² = 0.00%) were significantly higher in the NEMEX group compared to control groups. The WOMAC (mean difference = -5.21, 95%CI = -10.31 to -0.11, <i>p</i> = .05, I² = 81.48%) showed lower scores trending toward significance in NEMEX group compared to control groups. The timed up-and-go test (mean difference = -0.05, 95%CI = -0.52 to 0.42, <i>p</i> = .58, I² = 0.00%) and chair stand test (mean difference = 0.47, 95%CI = -0.31 to 1.24, <i>p</i> = .08, I² = 67.87%) indicated no significant difference between the NEMEX and control groups. However, studies assessing the effect of NEMEX on stair climb test, Y balance test, muscle strength of quadriceps and hamstrings, and quality of life questionnaire had conflicting results.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The NEMEX effectively promoted quality of life among individuals with KOA and should be included in rehabilitation programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"595-608"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145446406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A multifaceted presentation of acute neck pain with thumb weakness: A case report.","authors":"Andrew Coombs, Colette Ridehalgh","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2581801","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2581801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical radiculopathy often presents with neck and upper limb pain, sensory changes, and motor deficits, affecting 0.832 to 1.79 per 1,000 person-years. Concurrent musculoskeletal conditions, such as peripheral neuropathies and tendon injuries, can complicate diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms. This review highlights the diagnostic challenges through a case report of a 60-year-old female with left neck pain and upper limb symptoms indicative of cervical radicular arm pain and acute left thumb weakness.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>The patient had a six-week history of left-sided neck, periscapular, and upper limb pain radiating to the thumb, with severe thumb weakness emerging 24 hours after onset. Examination revealed left cervical paraspinal tenderness, restricted neck motion, preserved upper limb sensation, symmetrical reflexes, but profound weakness in the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed disc bulges with osteophytes of endplates at C5-6 and C6-7, and C7-T1 with corresponding nerve root compression. Electromyography (EMG) indicated mild multilevel radiculopathy. Further investigation using ultrasound imaging identified a complete rupture of the abductor pollicis longus tendon and a possible extensor pollicis brevis tear. The diagnosis included multilevel cervical foraminal stenosis causing radiating upper limb pain and a spontaneous tendon rupture causing thumb weakness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this case, careful assessment of discrepancies between pain distribution and motor deficits, supported by imaging and electrodiagnostic studies, was essential to identify distal abductor pollicis longus tendon rupture and concurrent cervical degenerative changes, allowing appropriate management. This outcome highlights the importance of systematic reasoning tailored to this patient's presentation.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"634-639"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145402492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Where are they now? A longitudinal qualitative study of exemplary physical therapist students five years after graduation.","authors":"Laura Hagan, Cristina Casimiro, Justin Hsieh, Melissa Tovin","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2589274","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2589274","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In recent years, the physical therapy profession has placed increasing emphasis on understanding and promoting excellence in education and clinical practice. A 2024 study by Hagan and Tovin contributed to this discourse by exploring the perspectives and attributes of 26 exemplary physical therapist students using a phenomenological approach.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Five years after graduating, this longitudinal study aimed to examine whether those exemplary students continue to embody the traits originally identified and to gain deeper insight into their experiences as practicing clinicians.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study employed a recurrent cross-sectional qualitative design. Eight participants from the original cohort were located and consented to participate. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Data was analyzed using content analysis guided by the framework developed by Bingham. Trustworthiness was reinforced through peer debriefing, memoing, member checking, and thick description.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four primary themes and one subtheme emerged: (1) Holistic Patient Care, (2) Commitment to Professional Growth, (3) Navigating Career Demands and Balancing Personal Values, with a subtheme of Challenges in Healthcare, and (4) Developing a Professional Identity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings indicate that several key qualities observed in these exemplary students including empathy, adaptability, and commitment to learning, persisted into their clinical practice. Challenges of healthcare also shaped their experience as a clinician reflecting a broader concern within the profession regarding burnout, work-life balance, and the retention of skilled clinicians. This study provides valuable insight into the traits of exemplary students and how they are sustained and shaped in their early career, particularly in the face of the increasing challenges confronting physical therapists today. As healthcare continues to evolve, fostering excellence from entry-level education through clinical practice is essential to advancing the profession, reducing attrition, and meeting the growing needs of patients and society.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"567-580"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Soft tissue mobilization is more effective than self-stretching in the acute reduction of common wrist extensor tendon stiffness in recreational tennis players.","authors":"Joseph Day, Harold Merriman","doi":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2587139","DOIUrl":"10.1080/09593985.2025.2587139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Common wrist extensor tendon (CET) stiffness is an understudied risk factor for lateral elbow tendinopathy.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate and short-term effects of soft tissue mobilization (STM) versus self-stretching on CET stiffness in a group of recreational tennis players.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Stiffness, measured with the shear wave modulus in kilopascals (kPa), was obtained at rest on the dominant CET using 2D SWE ultrasound imaging (GE Logiq S8, 9 L, linear transducer). Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group (STM or self-stretching). Stiffness measures were taken immediately post-treatment and 15-minutes post-treatment. Within examiner intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC (3, 1) were calculated. A repeated measures ANOVA using one between variable group (STM or stretching) and one within variable group (initial, post-treatment, and 15 minutes post-treatment) was used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-two participants (mean age = 58.2 ± 12.1 yr) were randomized into the STM (<i>n</i> = 16) or stretching group (<i>n</i> = 16). There were no group differences in body mass index, age, frequency of play, or activity levels (<i>p</i> > .10). The within day intra-rater reliability was excellent (ICC = .98 (95% CI = .95-.99). There was a significant interaction between group and time (<i>p</i> = .015). There was a significant decline in CET stiffness in the STM group compared to the stretching group between pre-treatment and post-treatment and between pre-treatment and 15 minutes post-treatment ((<i>p</i> ≤ .013), mean change > -39.64, Cohen's d > .55).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The reduction in stiffness values cannot be solely attributed to our STM intervention secondary to the lack of a control group. Nevertheless, clinicians may consider STM techniques over self-stretching for the purpose of mitigating CET stiffness in healthy middle-aged recreational tennis players.</p>","PeriodicalId":48699,"journal":{"name":"Physiotherapy Theory and Practice","volume":" ","pages":"504-512"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145497269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}